Lecture: Why Nations Fail - Studium Generale - Tilburg University

Why do some nations thrive while others struggle? On December 10th, the day of this lecture, the 'Nobel Prize for Economics' was awarded to Acemoglu, Johnson & Robinson, for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity. Economist Sjak Smulders told us ‘All you need to know about…’ the influential book: “Why Nations Fail - The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty”, written by two of the three Nobel Laureates.
The book “Why Nations Fail” explores the fundamental question of why some nations thrive while others struggle. It argues that the root cause lies in institutions-specifically, whether they are inclusive or extractive.
During this lecture we delved into the key themes of this groundbreaking work, discussing its implications for both policymakers and everyday citizens. “Why Nations Fail” is not just essential reading for economists but for anyone interested in the forces shaping our world. It challenges conventional wisdom and provides a framework for understanding how societies can escape the cycle of poverty and foster sustainable growth.
Speaker: Sjak Smulders is Professor of economics at Tilburg School of Economics and Management, Tilburg University
For students, this lecture may count towards the SG-Certificate.
This lecture was recorded on December 10th, 2024.